Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel Opens at London’s Barbican Theatre

The Observer has called it “an uncomplicated and excellent pleasure” and The Telegraph gave it four out of five stars, so you can be assured that the American stage classic Carousel is about to deliver London’s West End a hit. The show debuts this week for a limited run until September 15, with 37 exclusive performances at London’s Barbican Theatre.

Carousel was the second show created by hit-makers Rodgers & Hammerstein, following their sensational musical debut Oklahoma!The show, set on the coast of Maine at the end of WWII, follows the tragic story of love and loss between Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan. The play marked its debut in 1945, and Rodgers went on to say that it stood out as his favorite among all the musicals he had written. And with Time Magazine naming it the best musical of the 20th century, it seems the playwright wasn’t alone in his affection. If you only see one stage performance this year, make sure this is it.

After its London run, this production of Carousel will travel to the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris for a run in 2013.